Don't panic over Amazon's automatic video calls

28 June 2017

Transcript

A new Echo feature is causing concern.
The Amazon Echo Show is Amazon's latest smart speaker but it comes with a screen as well as a camera.
One of the new messaging features rolling out this week.
Along with the show is something called Drop In.
Here's how it works.
Drop In allows for automatic connections from approved contacts.
So if you receive a call and Drop In is enabled for that contact, You'd be automatically connected.
In the echo show case that could mean a video call could be start it little interaction.
This has some people freaking out because in theory someone could catch you in a private moment because the drop in feature was enabled.
So here's the deal there isn't a lot of reason to panic.
The Drop-In feature is disabled by default.
It's not like just anyone can call you up and spy on you, assuming you got an Echo Show pointed at you.
If it truly panics you that a camera could be turned on, maybe the show is not for you.
However the Drop-In feature can be turned on or off for each echo device within the Alexa app.
the drop-in feature also allows you to turn multiple Echo devices in a single home into an intercom system.
Amazon is rolling out the update to its Echo speakers this week.
The Echo Show starts shipping out June 28th.
Check out our full review of the Echo Show over at cnet.com.
I'm Iyaz Akhtar and I promise I won't drop-in on you.